Joe Milton gave the Eagles a different look Sunday,but his first start in Philadelphia ended with a familiar result. The Giants won 19-11 at Lincoln Financial Field as Milton’s mobility failed to overcome an offense that struggled to protect him or generate consistent rushing production.
Milton completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards without a touchdown or interception, finishing with a 66.9 passer rating. He also led Philadelphia with 64 yards on nine rushing attempts and scored a two-point conversion. The production included useful flashes, but seven sacks and a lost fumble limited his effectiveness.
Milton helps create an early lead
Milton’s best early sequence came during Philadelphia’s eight-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. A 19-yard scramble on third down kept the possession
alive, and a throw toward Darius Cooper drew a pass-interference penalty that moved the Eagles into scoring position.
Saquon Barkley finished with a 3-yard touchdown run. After a Giants penalty on the extra-point attempt, Philadelphia went for two, and Milton converted before celebrating with an end zone backflip.
The Eagles led 8-6, but that possession produced their only touchdown.
Passing game produces limited explosive gains
Makai Lemon caught six passes for 61 yards, while Dallas Goedert added five receptions for 50 yards. Cooper finished with two catches for 25 yards despite eight targets.
Milton’s longest completion covered 20 yards. Philadelphia needed more productive early-down passing and more completions that created manageable third downs. Instead, the Eagles converted five of 18 third-down attempts and repeatedly returned the ball to New York.
Seven sacks complicate the evaluation
Milton lost 41 yards on seven sacks, and Arvell Reese’s strip-sack erased an opportunity created by Philadelphia’s recovery of a muffed punt. The Eagles finished with only 128 net passing yards.
The protection problems make the evaluation more complicated than the passing line alone. Milton must recognize pressure and get the ball out when opportunities exist, but Philadelphia also must provide a functioning structure around him.
What the Eagles learned
Milton’s running ability is a useful addition, especially for an offense searching for ways to extend possessions. It cannot carry the entire operation. Barkley and Elijah Mitchell combined for 28 rushing yards, leaving Milton responsible for most of the ground production.
The Eagles now have a bye to review his decisions, protection responses, and passing opportunities. His first start provided reasons to keep developing him, but it offered little evidence that changing quarterbacks alone will repair Philadelphia’s offense.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Joe Milton’s first Eagles start brings mobility, seven sacks and a loss
